A New York City police is laid to rest after being gunned down with his partner as protests over police action continue despite authorities urging for calm. INSIDE EDITION reports.
New York Mayor Bill de Blasio and his wife, Chirlane paid their respects at the memorial for two cops slain in the wake of anti-police protests.
They somberly laid a small bouquet of flowers at the spot where police officers Wenjian Liu and Rafael Ramos were shot.
In a heartbreaking scene, the grief-stricken widow of officer Liu was helped down the steps of their home by two cops to speak out about the murders. They were married just two months ago.
"This is a difficult time for both of our families, but we will stand together and get through this together," she said.
Cops stood at attention as a hearse brought Liu's body to a funeral home. Turns out, he was not even scheduled to be on duty the day he was murdered. He was filling in for another officer.
The city remains deeply divided. Anti-police protests are continuing despite an appeal by Mayor de Blasio for a temporary halt.
In a press conference, de Blasio said, "Put aside protests. Put aside demonstrations until these funerals are passed."
But moments after the mayor spoke, protesters were taunting cops at the very spot where their brethren were shot.
Sara Ganim of CNN reported from the scene, "They are, quite frankly, yelling at a group of police officers who are standing here silently, just looking at the memorial of candles and flowers and posters."
Meanwhile, police released new video, showing the gunman, 28-year-old Ismaaiyl Brinsley, in a shopping mall just hours before the murders. His gun was in a paper bag.
He was also on the sidelines at an anti-police demonstration in New York City three weeks ago.
The murders are said to be in revenge over the deaths of Michael Brown in Ferguson and Eric Garner in New York in confrontations with police. But Brinsley's family is disputing that.
Brinsley's sister told reporters, "It had nothing to do with police retaliation, absolutely nothing to do with police retaliation. He was just disturbed."
Mayor de Blasio is blamed by some cops for siding with the protestors and many turned their backs on him when he arrived at the hospital where the two slain officers were taken.
Former NYPD detective, security expert Harry Houck told INSIDE EDITION, "The mayor is not directly responsible for the death of these two police officers. But he is responsible for fanning the flames."
Former NYPD Police Commissioner Howard Safir says he anti-cop rhetoric of recent weeks is the worst he has heard for 45 years.
INSIDE EDITION's Steven Fabian asked Safir, "When you hear these protestors chanting, 'What do we want? Dead cops,' how do you react to something like that?"
Safir replied, "I'm angry at them marching down the main streets in New York shouting 'we want dead cops' because that is like shouting 'Fire!' in a movie theater."
